Thursday, May 29, 2014

14th STI Basketball Showdown: Global City, Fairview and Muñoz wins

Jeanssen Pangilinan goes strong to the hoop

STI
College Global City finally found the right mix as it ended a gallant stand by
last year’s runner up, STI College Malolos to win a tighly fought match 86
-79. STI College Malolos played catch up the whole game and finally led
with three minutes left but unfortunately faltered in the endgame to give the
Taguig based Global City cagers the win. In the other matches, STI
College Muñoz showed more experience in subduing the returning STI College
Cubao team 76 – 60. The Cubao dribblers are back after a three year
hiatus from the league. The second game saw another returnee, STI College
Fairview beat newcomer STI College San Pablo 73 – 48.

Carlo Jimenez leaves everyone behind

The
Global City and Malolos match up lived up to the billing as Team Global City
finally got back at Team Malolos that beat them 2 years back to claim third
place. This time, the Global City squad had six players score in double figures
as their centers Arjay Napenas and Jeanssen Pangilinan controlled the middle by
scoring 16 and 11 points respectively. On the other hand, helping out
veteran shooting guard Jim Lontoc who scored 14 points are the newbies namely
King Carlos who added 12 markers, Mike Sampurna who had 11 points and Junard
Gubat who also scored 11 points.

Arjay Napeñas floats in mid-air

The
Global City team started like a house on fire as they led by as much as 16
points enroute to a 25 – 13 first quarter. The Malolos team’s offense
eventually caught fire as Abram Pineda ignited a 2ndquarter comeback that had their team
catch up but at the end of the half they were 10 points away from their
opponents.

Sherwin Sayo scores

The
third quarter saw a fiery STI College Malolos squad as their ace point guard
Carlo Jimenez combined with Pineda to score 12 straight points on four three
pointers with each of them sinking two apiece. Jimenez was relentless on
defense and unstoppable on offense as he willed his team back to life by
scoring 16 third quarter points. After three quarters the game was tied
again at 65 – all as the Global City team lost focus and allowed the Bulacan
based dribblers to come back.

Jim Lontoc delivers the winning basket

The fourth
quarter was a seesaw battle for both teams as neither of the two teams willing
to yield. With time running out for the Global City team, Jim Lontoc sank a
clutch three pointer to give Global City back the lead 79 – 78. Forward John
Marcelo would sink a free throw while Mike Sampurna sank a basket to give the
Global City squad an 81 – 79 lead. Unfortunately Marcelo missed a
potential game tying lay-up and the Global city team capitalized on this by
scoring 5 consecutive free throws, Two from Napeñas and three from Lontoc to
give STI College Global City a rousing nerve wracking debut.

Mark Baloaloa scores on this basket

STI
College Munoz on the other hand showed their experience as Mark Baloaloa,
Cedrick Manansala, Christian Sol, John Lopez, and Kristopher de Leon took turns
in scorching the net with Baloaloa topscoring with 18 points. STI College
Cubao tried to comeback but was denied by the Muñoz defense time and time
again. Shooting guard Vince Bantasan led the STI College Cubao team but needed
more support since Khayan Dacles was the only other player to score in double
figures.

Renz Galvez scores on this strong move

STI
College Fairview on the other hand showed its strength and size as it relied on
the big game of big man Renz Galvez who scored 17 points, pulled down 10
rebounds and blocked four shots. Galvez was a beast in the middle as he scored
11 first quarter points to jumpstart the campaign of the Regalado based
dribblers. Aldrin Eli wowed the crowd with his terrific basketball skills and
he ably supported Galvez by scoring 12 second half points to help his team get
the win. Denmark Ramos and Renzon Ticzon each scored 12 points to help lead the
STI College San Pablo squad.